Description

PRODUCER:
Bodegas Ondarre was founded in 1985 to create wines which showcase the region’s distinct terroirs. Situated in the town of Viana overlooking the Rioja Valley in Rioja Oriental, Bodegas Ondarre is the only winery in the village of Viana. They have formed trusted relationships with the highest quality growers in the area, with whom they have been working since their inception. The Reservas are Bodegas Ondarre’s most acclaimed wines, which win top awards and critical approval every year. They attribute their success to hard work in the vineyards and their continual investment in the winery and barrel stock. They use both French and American oak casks to help them obtain the character in their wines. They also produce a few thousand cases of a single varietal, Graciano – a real rarity due to the low-yielding nature of this variety.

VINEYARD:
The certified organic parcel within the estate vineyard is situated on the northern hills on south-facing slopes, which climb towards the Sierra. The small, old vineyard is planted across an uneven terrain due to several streams that run down the mountains that mark the northern border of Rioja. The soils are generally poor in nutrients and very shallow, just 30 to 35 centimetres in depth, which encourages the vines to send their roots deeper in search of nutrients and water. The soils vary from plot to plot, but there is a prevalence of clay-based soils with high iron and chalk content. The clay content retains water, which nourishes the vines during the warm summers, and the iron content is an essential nutrient for photosynthesis. The grapes come from low-yielding vines, and careful selection of the grapes allows for true expression of the climate and soil.

WINEMAKING:
Each variety was fermented separately, with temperature-controlled fermentation taking place with selected yeasts at 28 to 30°C. Maceration lasted for 16 to 18 days, allowing the extraction of aromas, flavours, colour and fine, silky tannins. The wine was racked into 225-litre American and French oak casks with two rackings, where it rested for five months. Released early from the cellars to showcase the young, fruit-forward bouquet underpinned by mild oaky notes.

TASTING NOTE:
Full-bodied and smooth, this youthful Rioja shows enticing notes of fresh black fruits underpinned by delicious oak spice. The textured palate is full of terroir expression.

GRAPES:
Garnacha 10%, Tempranillo 90%.